Agriculture Commissioner

Hardin County State Senator Dennis Parrett tells the Herald-Leader he’s “definitely considering” a run for state agriculture commissioner in 2015. Parrett, who co-owns a farming company, has served in the Senate since 2011.

Former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer is facing 42 charges of ethics violations related to his tenure from 2003-2011. The state’s Executive Branch Ethics Commission returned the charges following a ten-month investigation.

That investigation started when state auditor Adam Edelen issued a report last April accusing Farmer of abusing his office and employees in the Agriculture Department. That report claimed Farmer used workers to take him hunting and shopping, mow his lawn, and even chauffeur his dog.

The Courier-Journal reports the case against the former UK basketball player now goes to a hearing officer who will review the evidence and then make a recommendation to the ethics commission regarding punishment. If the commission ultimately finds Farmer guilty he could face a fine of up to $5,000 per count. Farmer served two terms and Agriculture Commissioner before running unsuccessfully as Lt. Gov. in 2011.

Former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer says he wants the amount of child support he's required to pay for his children to be reduced because of the loss of his elected position and other circumstances.